Interesting health-care story as many companies are looking into raising the costs of health benefits for workers who don't take better care of themselves.

Overweight? It'll cost you.

Smoking? It'll cost you.

Weyco founder Harold Weyers told workers they had 15 months to quit smoking or they would lose their jobs as of Jan. 1, 2005. Weyco provided whatever smoking-cessation programs employees wanted, including hypnosis and accupuncture, Weyers said. But in the end, four employees chose smoking over their jobs.

Interesting. Now Michigan law covers discrimination against race, sex, weight and height, but smokers are left out in the cold.

Even GM says that the 26% of its workforce considered "obese" cost an extra $1,500/person to cover with insurance.

I hope more companies go Weyers route as he offers basketball, Weight watchers, pilates and other forms of wellness to encourage his employees to go a safer route. In the end, both employee and employer win.

Workers Unhealthy Habits Could Cost Them [Detroit Free-Press]